U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800

Fax: (202) 512–2250 Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402–0001

22–260PDF 2006

SOCIAL INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR

THE AMERICAS ACT OF 2005; ACKNOWLEDGING AFRICAN

DESCENDANTS OF THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE IN

ALL OF THE AMERICAS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON DESCENDANTS IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN, AND FOR

OTHER PURPOSES; AND HAITI ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE RECONSTRUCTION ACT

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON 

THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON 

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON

H.R. 953, H. Con. Res. 175 and H.R. 611

JUNE 29, 2005

Serial No. 109–106

Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations

(

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international—relations 

(II)

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 

HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois, Chairman 

JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey, 

Vice Chairman 

DAN BURTON, Indiana 

ELTON GALLEGLY, California 

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida 

DANA ROHRABACHER, California 

EDWARD R. ROYCE, California 

PETER T. KING, New York 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado 

RON PAUL, Texas 

DARRELL ISSA, California 

JEFF FLAKE, Arizona 

JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia 

MARK GREEN, Wisconsin 

JERRY WELLER, Illinois 

MIKE PENCE, Indiana 

THADDEUS G. MCCOTTER, Michigan 

KATHERINE HARRIS, Florida 

JOE WILSON, South Carolina 

JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas 

J. GRESHAM BARRETT, South Carolina 

CONNIE MACK, Florida 

JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska 

MICHAEL MCCAUL, Texas 

TED POE, Texas 

TOM LANTOS, California 

HOWARD L. BERMAN, California 

GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York 

ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American 

Samoa 

DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey 

ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey 

SHERROD BROWN, Ohio 

BRAD SHERMAN, California 

ROBERT WEXLER, Florida 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts 

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York 

BARBARA LEE, California 

JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York 

EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon 

SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada 

GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California 

ADAM B. SCHIFF, California 

DIANE E. WATSON, California 

ADAM SMITH, Washington 

BETTY MCCOLLUM, Minnesota 

BEN CHANDLER, Kentucky 

DENNIS A. CARDOZA, California 

THOMAS E. MOONEY, SR., Staff Director/General Counsel 

ROBERT R. KING, Democratic Staff Director 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE

DAN BURTON, Indiana, Chairman 

RON PAUL, Texas 

JERRY WELLER, Illinois, Vice Chairman 

KATHERINE HARRIS, Florida 

JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey 

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida 

CONNIE MACK, Florida 

MICHAEL MCCAUL, Texas 

ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey 

GRACE NAPOLITANO, California 

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York 

ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American 

Samoa 

DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey 

WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts 

BARBARA LEE, California 

MARK WALKER, Subcommittee Staff Director 

JESSICA LEWIS, Democratic Professional Staff Member 

DAN S. GETZ, Professional Staff Member 

BRIAN WANKO, Staff Associate 

(III)

C O N T E N T S 

Page

MARKUP OF 

H.R. 953, To authorize the establishment of a Social Investment and Economic Development Fund for the Americas to provide assistance to reduce 

poverty and foster increased economic opportunity in the countries of the 

Western Hemisphere, and for other purposes ................................................... 2

H. Con. Res. 175, Acknowledging African descendants of the transatlantic 

slave trade in all of the Americas with an emphasis on descendants in 

Latin America and the Caribbean, recognizing the injustices suffered by 

these African descendants, and recommending that the United States and 

the international community work to improve the situation of Afro-descendant communities in Latin America and the Caribbean .................................... 23

H.R. 611, To authorize the establishment of a program to provide economic 

and infrastructure reconstruction assistance to the Republic of Haiti, and 

for other purposes ................................................................................................ 32

Amendments to H.R. 611 offered by the Honorable Gregory W. Meeks, 

a Representative in Congress from the State of New York .......................... 43

Amendment to H.R. 611 offered by the Honorable Barbara Lee, a Representative in Congress from the State of California .................................... 47

(1)

SOCIAL INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND 

FOR THE AMERICAS ACT OF 2005; ACKNOWLEDGING AFRICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE 

TRADE IN ALL OF THE AMERICAS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON 

DESCENDANTS IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN, 

AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; AND HAITI ECONOMIC AND 

INFRASTRUCTURE RECONSTRUCTION ACT 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2005

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, Washington, DC. 

The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:45 p.m. in room 

2200, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Dan Burton (Chairman 

of the Subcommittee) presiding. 

Mr. BURTON. After the brief delay, the Committee will now come 

to order. Pursuant to notice, I call up the bill, H.R. 953, Social Investment and Economic Development Fund for the Americas Act of 

2005, for purposes of markup and move its recommendation to the 

Full Committee, and without objection, the bill will be considered 

as read and open for amendment at any point, and I will invite my 

good friend and Ranking Member, Bob Menendez, to speak on the 

merits of this important measure that he has introduced. 

[H.R. 953 follows:]

2

1

I

109TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. R. 953

To authorize the establishment of a Social Investment and Economic Development Fund for the Americas to provide assistance to reduce poverty

and foster increased economic opportunity in the countries of the Western

Hemisphere, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 17, 2005

Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. LANTOS, Ms. ROSLEHTINEN, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. MEEKS

of New York, Mr. PAYNE, Ms. LEE, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr.

SHERMAN, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. CROWLEY, Ms. CORRINE

BROWN of Florida, Mr. GONZALEZ, Mr. RUSH, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr.

GUTIERREZ, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. OWENS, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. REYES, Mr.

HASTINGS of Florida, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Ms. VELA ́ZQUEZ, Ms. LINDA

T. SA ́NCHEZ of California, and Mr. BACA) introduced the following bill;

which was referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in

addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such

provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To authorize the establishment of a Social Investment and

Economic Development Fund for the Americas to provide

assistance to reduce poverty and foster increased economic opportunity in the countries of the Western Hemisphere, and for other purposes.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,


22260a.AAB
3

2

•HR 953 IH

1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

2 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Social Investment and

3 Economic Development Fund for the Americas Act of

4 2005’’.

5 SEC. 2. FINDINGS; STATEMENT OF POLICY.

6 (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:

7 (1) The historic economic, political, cultural,

8 and geographic relationships among the countries of

9 the Western Hemisphere are unique and of con10 tinuing special significance to the United States.

11 (2) The interests of the countries of the West12 ern Hemisphere are more interrelated today than

13 ever before. Consequently, sound economic, social,

14 and democratic progress in each of the countries

15 continues to benefit other countries, and lack of it

16 in any country may have serious repercussions in

17 others.

18 (3) Following the historic Summits of the

19 Americas—the 1994 Summit in Miami, the 1998

20 Summit in Santiago, Chile, and the 2001 Summit in

21 Quebec City, Canada—the heads of state of the

22 countries of the Western Hemisphere accepted the

23 formidable challenge of economic and social integra24 tion in and between their respective countries.

25 (4) To make progress toward economic and so26 cial integration, there is a compelling need to focus


22260a.AAC
4

3

•HR 953 IH

1 on the social development of the people of the Amer2 icas which, in turn, will promote the economic and

3 political development of the region.

4 (5) Investment in social development in the

5 Americas, including investment in human and social

6 capital, specifically in education, health, housing,

7 and labor markets with the goal of combating social

8 exclusion and social ills, will consolidate political de9 mocracy and the rule of law and promote regional

10 economic integration and trade in the region.

11 (6) The challenge of achieving economic inte12 gration between one of the world’s most developed

13 economies and some of the poorest and most vulner14 able countries requires a special effort to promote

15 social equality, develop skills, and modernize the in16 frastructure in poorer countries that will enable the

17 people of these countries to maximize the amount of

18 benefits accrued from economic integration.

19 (7) The particular challenge facing social and

20 economic development in Latin America is the his21 toric and persistent highly unequal distribution of

22 wealth. Latin America suffers from the most un23 equal distribution of wealth in the world with huge

24 inequities in the distribution of assets including edu25 cation, land, and credit.


22260a.AAD
5

4

•HR 953 IH

1 (8) Latin America also confronts the challenge

2 of an increasing number of poor people. Approxi3 mately 44 percent of the population lives in poverty

4 and extreme poverty is a persistent problem.

5 (9) Marginalized groups, including indigenous

6 populations, people of African descent, women, peo7 ple with disabilities, and rural populations, are so8 cially excluded and suffer from poverty, stigma, and

9 discrimination.

10 (10) Democratic values are dominant through11 out the Americas, and nearly all governments in the

12 region have come to power through democratic elec13 tions.

14 (11) Nonetheless, existing democratic govern15 ments and their constituent institutions remain frag16 ile and face critical challenges including effective

17 democratic civilian authority over these institutions,

18 including the military, the consolidation or establish19 ment of independent judicial institutions and the

20 rule of law, and the elimination of corruption.

21 (12) The prosperity, security, and well-being of

22 the United States is linked directly to peace, pros23 perity, and democracy in the Americas. The entire

24 region benefits by reducing poverty, strengthening

25 the middle class, and promoting the rule of law


22260a.AAE
6

5

•HR 953 IH

1 which will also increase markets for United States

2 goods and create a better environment for regional

3 investment by United States businesses.

4 (13) Section 101 of the Foreign Assistance Act

5 of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151) establishes as a principal

6 objective of United States foreign assistance the

7 ‘‘encouragement and sustained support of the people

8 of developing countries in their efforts to acquire the

9 knowledge and resources essential to development

10 and to build the economic, political, and social insti11 tutions which will improve the quality of their lives’’.

12 (14) It is in the national interests of the United

13 States to assist developing countries in the Western

14 Hemisphere as they implement the economic and po15 litical policies which are necessary to achieve equi16 table economic growth.

17 (15) The Summit of the Americas has directly

18 charged the multilateral institutions of the Americas,

19 including the Organization of American States

20 (OAS), the Inter-American Development Bank

21 (IADB), and the new Inter-American Agency for Co22 operation and Development with mobilizing private23 public sector partnerships among industry and civil

24 society to help achieve equitable development objec25 tives.


22260a.AAF
7

6

•HR 953 IH

1 (16) By supporting the purposes and objectives

2 of development and applying such purposes and ob3 jectives to the Americas, a Social Investment and

4 Economic Development Fund for the Americas can

5 advance the national interests of the United States

6 and can directly improve the lives of the poor and

7 marginalized groups, encourage broad-based eco8 nomic growth while protecting the environment,

9 build human capital and knowledge, support mean10 ingful participation in democracy, and promote

11 peace and justice in the Americas.

12 (b) STATEMENT OF POLICY.—It is, therefore, the

13 policy of the United States—

14 (1) to promote market-based principles, eco15 nomic integration, social development, and trade in

16 and between countries of the Americas by—

17 (A) nurturing public-private partnerships

18 and microenterprise development;

19 (B) improving the quality of life and in20 vesting in human capital, specifically targeting

21 education, health and disease prevention, and

22 housing;

23 (C) strengthening the rule of law through

24 improved efficiency and transparency in govern25 ment services; and


22260a.AAG
8

7

•HR 953 IH

1 (D) reducing poverty and eliminating the

2 exclusion of marginalized populations, including

3 people of African descent, indigenous groups,

4 women, and people with disabilities; and

5 (2) to establish an investment fund for the

6 Western Hemisphere to advance the national inter7 ests of the United States, directly improve the lives

8 of the poor and marginalized, encourage broad-based

9 economic growth while protecting the environment,

10 build human capital and knowledge, support mean11 ingful participation in democratic institutions and

12 processes, and promote peace and justice in the

13 Americas.

14 SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF

15 1961.

16 Part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22

17 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end

18 the following:

19 ‘‘CHAPTER 13—SOCIAL INVESTMENT AND

20 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR

21 THE AMERICAS

22 ‘‘SEC. 499H. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE.

23 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The President, acting through

24 the Administrator of the United States Agency for Inter25 national Development, shall provide assistance to reduce


22260a.AAH
9

8

•HR 953 IH

1 poverty and foster increased economic opportunity in the

2 countries of the Western Hemisphere by—

3 ‘‘(1) nurturing public-private partnerships and

4 microenterprise development;

5 ‘‘(2) improving the quality of life and investing

6 in human capital, specifically targeting education,

7 health and disease prevention, and housing;

8 ‘‘(3) strengthening the rule of law through im9 proved efficiency and transparency in government

10 services; and

11 ‘‘(4) reducing poverty and eliminating the ex12 clusion of marginalized populations, including people

13 of African descent, indigenous groups, women, and

14 people with disabilities.

15 ‘‘(b) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—Assistance under

16 this chapter may be provided on such other terms and con17 ditions as the President may determine.

18 ‘‘SEC. 499I. TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.

19 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established within the

20 United States Agency for International Development a

21 technical review committee.

22 ‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The President, by and with the

23 advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint to serve

24 on the technical review committee—


22260a.AAI
10

9

•HR 953 IH

1 ‘‘(1) individuals with technical expertise with

2 respect to the development of Latin America and the

3 Caribbean; and

4 ‘‘(2) citizens of the United States with technical

5 expertise with respect to development projects and

6 business experience.

7 Technical expertise shall be the sole criterion in making

8 appointments to the technical review committee.

9 ‘‘(c) DUTIES.—The technical review committee shall

10 review all projects proposed for funding using assistance

11 provided under section 499H(a), and make recommenda12 tions to the President with respect to the guidelines to

13 be used in evaluating project proposals and the suitability

14 of the proposed projects for funding.

15 ‘‘(d) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—A member of the

16 technical review committee shall not be permitted to re17 view an application submitted by an organization with

18 which the member has been or is affiliated.

19 ‘‘SEC. 499J. REPORT.

20 ‘‘The President shall prepare and transmit to the

21 Committee on International Relations of the House of

22 Representatives, the Committee on Foreign Relations of

23 the Senate, and other appropriate congressional commit24 tees an annual report on the specific programs, projects,

25 and activities carried out under this chapter during the


22260a.AAJ
11

10

•HR 953 IH

1 preceding year, including an evaluation of the results of

2 such programs, projects, and activities.

3 ‘‘SEC. 499K. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

4 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap5 propriated to carry out this chapter $250,000,000 for

6 each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010.

7 ‘‘(b) ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES.—Amounts appro8 priated pursuant to subsection (a)—

9 ‘‘(1) may be referred to as the ‘United States

10 Social Investment and Economic Development Fund

11 for the Americas’;

12 ‘‘(2) are authorized to remain available until ex13 pended; and

14 ‘‘(3) are in addition to amounts otherwise avail15 able for such purposes.

16 ‘‘(c) FUNDING LIMITATION.—Not more than 7 per17 cent of the amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection

18 (a) for a fiscal year may be used for administrative ex19 penses.’’.

20 SEC. 4. AMENDMENT TO THE INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOP21 MENT BANK ACT.

22 The Inter-American Development Bank Act (22

23 U.S.C. 283–283z-10) is amended by adding at the end the

24 following:


22260a.AAK
12

11

•HR 953 IH

1 ‘‘SEC. 39. SOCIAL INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOP2 MENT FUND FOR THE AMERICAS.

3 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Treasury

4 shall instruct the United States Executive Director at the

5 Bank to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United

6 States to urge the Bank to establish an account to be

7 known as the ‘Social Investment and Economic Develop8 ment Fund for the Americas’ (in this section referred to

9 as the ‘Fund’), which is to be operated and administered

10 by the Board of Executive Directors of the Bank con11 sistent with subsection (b). The United States Governor

12 of the Bank may vote for a resolution transmitted by the

13 Board of Executive Directors which provides for the estab14 lishment of such an account, and the operation and admin15 istration of the account consistent with subsection (b).

16 ‘‘(b) GOVERNING RULES.—

17 ‘‘(1) USE OF FUNDS.—The Fund shall be used

18 to provide assistance to reduce poverty and foster in19 creased economic opportunity in the countries of the

20 Western Hemisphere by—

21 ‘‘(A) nurturing public-private partnerships

22 and microenterprise development;

23 ‘‘(B) improving the quality of life and in24 vesting in human capital, specifically targeting

25 education, health and disease prevention, and

26 housing;


22260a.AAL
13

12

•HR 953 IH

1 ‘‘(C) strengthening the rule of law through

2 improved efficiency and transparency in govern3 ment services; and

4 ‘‘(D) reducing poverty and eliminating the

5 exclusion of marginalized populations, including

6 people of African descent, indigenous groups,

7 women, and people with disabilities.

8 ‘‘(2) APPLICATION FOR FUNDING THROUGH A

9 COMPETITIVE PROCESS.—Any interested person or

10 organization may submit an application for funding

11 by the Fund.

12 ‘‘(3) TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.—

13 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Fund shall have

14 a technical review committee.

15 ‘‘(B) MEMBERSHIP.—The Board of Execu16 tive Directors of the Bank shall appoint to

17 serve on the technical review committee—

18 ‘‘(i) individuals with technical exper19 tise with respect to the development of

20 Latin America and the Caribbean; and

21 ‘‘(ii) citizens of the United States with

22 technical expertise with respect to develop23 ment projects and business experience.

24 Technical expertise shall be the sole criterion

25 (other than citizenship pursuant to clause (ii))


22260a.AAM
14

13

•HR 953 IH

1 in making appointments to the technical review

2 committee.

3 ‘‘(C) DUTIES.—The technical review com4 mittee shall review all projects proposed for

5 funding by the Fund, and make recommenda6 tions to the Board of Executive Directors of the

7 Bank with respect to the guidelines to be used

8 in evaluating project proposals and the suit9 ability of the proposed projects for funding.

10 ‘‘(D) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—A mem11 ber of the technical review committee shall not

12 be permitted to review an application submitted

13 by an organization with which the member has

14 been or is affiliated.

15 ‘‘(4) REVIEW OF PROPOSED PROJECTS.—Not

16 more frequently than annually, the Board of Execu17 tive Directors of the Bank shall review and make de18 cisions on applications for projects to be funded by

19 the Fund, in accordance with procedures which pro20 vide for transparency. The Board of Executive Di21 rectors shall provide advance notice to all interested

22 parties of any date on which such a review will be

23 conducted.

24 ‘‘(c) CONTRIBUTION AUTHORITY.—To the extent and

25 in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations


22260a.AAN
15

14

•HR 953 IH

1 Acts, the United States Governor of the Bank may con2 tribute to the Fund $1,250,000,000.

3 ‘‘(d) LIMITATIONS ON AUTHORIZATION OF APPRO4 PRIATIONS.—

5 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For the contribution au6 thorized by subsection (c), there are authorized to be

7 appropriated for payment to the Secretary of the

8 Treasury $250,000,000 for each fiscal year begin9 ning with the fiscal year in which the resolution de10 scribed in subsection (a) is adopted.

11 ‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES.—Amounts ap12 propriated pursuant to paragraph (1)—

13 ‘‘(A) are authorized to remain available

14 until expended; and

15 ‘‘(B) are in addition to amounts otherwise

16 available for such purposes.

17 ‘‘(3) FUNDING LIMITATION.—Not more than 7

18 percent of the amounts appropriated pursuant to

19 paragraph (1) for a fiscal year may be used for ad20 ministrative expenses.’’.

21 SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

22 It is the sense of Congress that the countries of the

23 Western Hemisphere should collectively provide assistance

24 equal to the amount of United States bilateral assistance

25 provided under chapter 13 of part I of the Foreign AssistVerDate Mar 21 2002 14:24 Jan 25, 2006 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 F:\WORK\WH\062905M\22260.000 HINTREL1 PsN: SHIRL

22260a.AAO
16

15

•HR 953 IH

1 ance Act of 1961 (as added by section 3(a) of this Act)

2 and multilateral assistance provided by the Social Invest3 ment and Economic Development Fund for the Americas

4 under section 39 of the Inter-American Development

5 Bank Act (as added by section 4 of this Act) for the same

6 purpose for which such assistance was provided.

Æ


22260a.AAP
17

Mr. BURTON. This bill goes right to the core of the problems and 

opportunities that challenge our neighbors in Latin America in the 

areas of social investment and economic development and calls for 

countries in the region to match our contributions. 

Since the 1980s, I have been very concerned about promoting democratization in Central and South America. In recent years, I 

have grown increasingly convinced that in order to stabilize democracy in the region and enhance security throughout the hemisphere, we must do more to alleviate poverty. Despite the gains of 

the eighties and nineties, the Latin American democracies are still 

fragile, and many people remain in poverty. 

Spreading prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere must 

continue to be a key, long-term goal of the United States, and while 

I do not believe that trade agreements alone are a panacea to cure 

the ills of our hemisphere, I do believe that the economic prosperity 

that these agreements can provide would, in fact, create the conditions by which we can alleviate poverty, promote the rule of law, 

strengthen democratic and civil institutions, and thereby improve 

the lives of the millions who now live in poverty. 

We need to work closely with our partners in the region to create 

new economic opportunities through expanded trade and investment and the relationships that are in our mutual economic interests. CAFTA and the Andean Free Trade Agreement will, in my 

view, become key opportunities for the nations of Central and 

South America and will help create the conditions for increased 

economic activity, investment, and improved living conditions. 

There is a host of other challenges where United States assistance can play a crucial role in Latin America, from education and 

professional skills development, modernization of infrastructure, 

economic disparities and unequal distribution of wealth, rights of 

indigenous groups, corruption and establishment of independent 

arbiters of justice. 

I believe H.R. 953 is a robust approach to foster social and economic opportunities in the Western Hemisphere, and I maintain 

my belief that FTAs for Central America and the Andean region 

also have built-in mechanisms that reinforce transparency and 

democratic development in these pivotal communities in our hemisphere. I support this measure, and I now invite Mr. Menendez for 

his statement. 

Mr. MENENDEZ. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me first, Mr. 

Chairman, thank you for the manner in which you have conducted 

this Subcommittee in this session. It has been as bipartisan as it 

gets. I appreciate the spirit and the nature in which you have conducted it in, I think, an exemplary manner, and even by the fact 

that the markup today has an equal number of Democratic and Republican bills offered for markup. So I appreciate that, and I appreciate that spirit. 

I want to thank you particularly for your leadership on this bill, 

as an original co-sponsor and as Chairman of the Subcommittee, 

and I want to recognize several of your staff members—Mark 

Walker, Dan Getz, and Brian Wanko of your staff—for their hard 

work, and I certainly want to thank Jessica Lewis of my staff, who 

has been working on this so hard to bring it to this point. And I 

want to thank all of the Members of the Subcommittee, both ReVerDate Mar 21 2002 14:24 Jan 25, 2006 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 F:\WORK\WH\062905M\22260.000 HINTREL1 PsN: SHIRL
18

publican and Democratic alike, who have co-sponsored the legislation, as well as Senator Dodd for introducing companion legislation 

in the Senate. 

I also want to thank the groups and organizations who we have 

been listening to, working with, dialouging with, which have had 

many changes since the bill was originally conceived—we have listened to what you had to say—for meeting with me and my staff, 

and for making it a better piece of legislation. 

We have spent the last 6 months listening and talking to experts 

about a range of problems that impact our hemisphere, from crime, 

to democracy, to the lack of the rule of law, and let me take a moment to remind us all what they said. 

Professor Arturo Valenzuela said:

‘‘Failed states close to home would represent a lost opportunity 

to turn the Americas into an engine of growth and prosperity 

at a time when China and India are surging ahead . . . [they 

would also] constitute potential threats to the security of the 

United States and encourage uncontrolled migration patterns.’’

Otto Reich said:

‘‘There is nothing more critical or rapid we can do to accelerate 

global development than to try to stem the tie of corruption.’’

Aldolfo Franco said:

‘‘Latin America is caught in a vicious cycle where economic 

growth is thwarted by high crime rates and where a lack of 

economic opportunity . . . is contributing to a rise in crime.’’

Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini said:

‘‘Without a concerted effort to complement trade and development in a serious way . . . the promise of democratic reforms 

and a just participation in the global market will be frustrated.’’

So I look at what we are doing today as a culmination of everything this Subcommittee has talked about. What we have found 

across the board is one distinct message, that it is time to take action on the core, key issues that have created a crisis of democracy 

and are ripping at the fabric of our hemisphere. 

Since our hearing on democracy, we have lost a second President 

in Bolivia, and the crisis in Nicaragua has worsened. We have lost 

a President in Ecuador, and the situation in Haiti remains one of 

the most urgent in the hemisphere. I am concerned that what we 

see in our hemisphere has progressed far beyond freedom of expression, that the street is a substitute for the ballot box, that protests are a substitute for communication between citizens and their 

government. 

Clearly, at a time when Latin American Presidents are being 

toppled left and right by crowds frustrated with the failure of government to provide them adequate education, housing, and 

healthcare, at a time when anti-Americanism is on the rise 

throughout the hemisphere, at a time when our world is growing 

smaller, when infectious diseases move throughout the hemisphere, 

when crime penetrates borders, when terrorists use failed states as 

a safe haven, we can and must do much more. 

19

We must create a new plan for our hemisphere, in partnership 

with our neighbors, which addresses these core problems that our 

witnesses throughout the last several months have brought to our 

attention here in this Subcommittee. And I believe that is exactly 

in part what we do in the Social Investment and Economic Development Fund. 

The fund will more than double development funding to the re- gion, with a total of $2.5 billion over the next 5 years for housing, 

healthcare, and education in Latin America. It will also focus on 

the rule of law and transparency and target tranditionally 

marginalized communities. 

And we also know that this fund will benefit us here in the 

United States. It is in the national interest of the United States to 

increase demand for U.S. goods in a region of 500 million people 

by growing those economies. It is in the national interest and security interest of the United States to create greater economic growth 

in Latin America so that people will not leave their homes to find 

jobs. It is in the national interest and security interest of the 

United States to increase stability in our hemisphere because chaos 

and insecurity creates unwarranted and unwanted opportunity for 

terrorists and criminals throughout the region. 

And I believe that is why we have support from representatives 

of the business community, religious organizations, development 

groups, Hispanic organizations, many of whom have written letters 

in support of the legislation, and I would also like to note that this 

legislation is supported by groups and individuals on both sides of 

the CAFTA issue, and that is because no matter where we stand 

on trade issues, we all agree that a stable, safe, and prosperous 

Western Hemisphere is in the national interest and the national 

security interest of the United States. 

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for the bill, and, again, 

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your support and leadership. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Menendez. 

Are there any other statements? The Vice Chairman, Mr. Weller. 

Mr. WELLER. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for 

holding this important markup today. Mr. Chairman, looking at 

the bills we are marking up today, we see a common goal: Working 

to address poverty in our own hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere, our own neighborhood. 

Poverty is one of the greatest challenges we are confronting in 

our hemisphere, and it is important that we continue to work to 

end poverty with our closest neighbors and friends, who happen to 

be some of the poorest nations in the world. 

Importantly, I wanted to briefly highlight two areas where President Bush and this House of Representatives are working together 

against poverty today. 

First, we are quickly approaching the time when the United 

States Congress will choose to ratify the DR–CAFTA Trade Agreement. According to a report just released by the World Bank, DR–

CAFTA has potential to help lift many Central Americans out of 

poverty. The World Bank report notes that economies that participate in free trade agreements tend to have increased rates of about 

six-tenths percent increase above normal growth in the first 5 

years. In the case of Central America alone, this would mean 

20

500,000 residents of Central America lifted from poverty by the end 

of this decade. 

As I have said before, the DR–CAFTA is just one part of the answer to poverty, and it will not alone solve the economic and political woes of Central America and the Dominican Republic. But 

trade is an important component in strengthening economies in democracy, and this agreement deserves ratification by the Congress. 

Second, let me highlight President Bush’s Millennium Challenge 

Account. The MCA encourages good governance and economic 

growth led by just rule of law and ending corruption. Importantly, 

much of the decision-making is put in the hands of individual 

democratically-elected governments of the participating countries 

to determine best how to invest resources to achieve these goals. 

A few weeks ago, President Maduro of Honduras and President 

Bush of the United States signed the first Millennium Challenge 

Account Agreement for the Western Hemisphere, allocating $215 

million in funding for rural development and transportation in 

Honduras. Farmers will be partners in developing horticultural 

crops, such as tomatoes, plantains, and peppers, that can bring a 

four-to-eight-fold profit increase over the traditional crops of sugar 

and corn. 

Transportation systems will be improved, creating a link between 

Atlantic and Pacific ports, production centers, and farm-to-market 

roads. Nicaragua is now working toward a $175 million compact 

with the Millennium Challenge Account. These funds will provide 

sustainable economic growth and development for these countries, 

helping lift tens of thousands of families out of poverty. 

Again, Mr. Chairman, let me commend you on holding this markup today, and I look forward to continuing to work with you and 

my friends on the Democratic side of the aisle as well as my friends 

on the Republican side of the aisle in continuing to address poverty 

in our own neighborhood hemisphere. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Weller. 

Ms. Napolitano. 

Ms. NAPOLITANO. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I really commend my 

friend and colleague, Ranking Member Menendez, for introducing 

H.R. 953 and urge my colleagues’ support for H.R. 953. 

This really marks a beginning of things that we feel that are 

long in coming—that is, support for our neighbors to the south that 

have been neglected. The budgets in the past 2 years have drastically cut funding for the Western Hemisphere, even though this 

year there is a 12-percent cut in core programs. We hear U.S. citizens complain about illegal migration to the United States, but we 

do very little in helping to foster economic growth in South and 

Central America, and we are very cognizant of the great problems 

that exist in Latin America—the civil strife in Bolivia and Haiti, 

the gang violence of Central America, and, of course, the drug cultivation in the Andes—and I feel that, with the institution of this 

act, we will be able to nurture public/private partnerships that encourage micro-enterprise development and invest in education, disease prevention, and, of course, housing, while strengthening the 

rule of law and actually will support participation in democratic institutions. 

21

So, to me and others that have looked at South and Central 

America as countries that have long been waiting for assistance, 

this is a good start, and we hope that we will have the support to 

be able to help our neighbors south of the United States. Thank 

you, Mr. Chair. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you. 

Any other comments? Mr. Payne. 

Mr. PAYNE. Very briefly, I also want to extend my congratulations to Mr. Menendez. I hope that when we talk about USAID and 

the Inter-American Development Bank that we do not take from 

Peter to pay Paul. I hope that whatever we have going, what little 

that is there, that we not take from existing programs in order to 

shift it into the $2.5 billion requested or authorized, and we hope 

that the appropriators will fund it fully but, once again, not to take 

money from other things. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Payne. 

Any other comments? The gentleman from Massachusetts. 

Mr. DELAHUNT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We echo the sentiments expressed by Mr. Menendez regarding your leadership. I 

would also be remiss not to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Mr. 

Menendez and Jessica Lewis, as well as the staffers on the Republican side. This is really the culmination of a long and arduous odyssey for this particular legislation. I believe it is incumbent upon 

us now to give approval at the Full Committee level, and see that 

this comes to the Floor. 

One aspect of this proposal is that it requires a match, and I 

think that that is very important. It sends a message to Latin 

American countries that we expect that this is a partnership and 

that there will be an investment in infrastructure, health, environment, education, so that the growing disparity of wealth and income that currently exists in Latin America, that I believe causes 

so much instability and puts a great stress on democracy, because 

there is only so much stress and poverty that democracy can bear. 

This is an important beginning, and it sends that message. 

I will conclude again by saying ‘‘Great job’’ to Bob. 

Mr. MENENDEZ. Thank you. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Delahunt. 

Any other comments? 

[No response.] 

Mr. BURTON. Any amendments to the resolution? 

[No response.] 

Mr. BURTON. If there are no amendments, the question occurs on 

the motion to report the bill, H.R. 953, favorably to the Full Committee. All in favor, say aye. 

[A chorus of ayes.] 

Mr. BURTON. All opposed, signify by saying no. 

[No response.] 

Mr. BURTON. The motion is approved, and the bill is reported favorably. The staff is directed to make any technical and conforming 

amendments that are necessary. 

[Discussion off the record.] 

Mr. BURTON. We will now call up H. Con. Res. 175, Acknowledging African descendants of the transatlantic slave trade in all 

22

of the Americas with an emphasis on descendants in Latin America 

and the Caribbean. This is sponsored by Mr. Rangel, I believe. 

Pursuant to notice, I call up Resolution 175 for purposes of markup and to move its recommendation to the Full Committee. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for 

amendment at any point. 

[H. Con. Res. 175 follows:]

23

1

IV

109TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 175

Acknowledging African descendants of the transatlantic slave trade in all

of the Americas with an emphasis on descendants in Latin America

and the Caribbean, recognizing the injustices suffered by these African

descendants, and recommending that the United States and the international community work to improve the situation of Afro-descendant

communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JUNE 8, 2005

Mr. RANGEL (for himself, Mr. PAYNE, Ms. LEE, Mr. MEEKS of New York,

and Mr. JEFFERSON) submitted the following concurrent resolution;

which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Acknowledging African descendants of the transatlantic slave

trade in all of the Americas with an emphasis on descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean, recognizing the injustices suffered by these African descendants, and recommending that the United States and the

international community work to improve the situation

of Afro-descendant communities in Latin America and

the Caribbean.

Whereas during Black History Month it is important that we

not forget that African-Americans are not the only survivors of the transatlantic slave trade;


22260b.AAB
24

2

•HCON 175 IH

Whereas like the United States, many European nations benefited greatly from the colonization of Latin America and

the Caribbean and their participation in the slave trade;

Whereas the story of African descendants in all of the Americas remains untold, leading them to be forgotten, made

invisible, and allowed to suffer unjustly;

Whereas it is important to acknowledge that as a result of

the slave trade and immigration, approximately

80,000,000 to 150,000,000 persons of African descent

live in Latin America and the Caribbean, making them

the largest population of persons of African descent outside of Africa;

Whereas Afro-descendants are present in most all Latin

American countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile,

Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela;

Whereas the size of Afro-descendant populations vary in

range from less than 1 percent in some countries to as

much as 30 percent in Colombia and 46 percent in Brazil

and make up the majority in some Spanish speaking Caribbean nations, such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic;

Whereas Afro-descendant populations have made significant

economic, social, and cultural contributions to their countries and the Western Hemisphere from their unfortunate

involvement in the transatlantic slave trade to their recent contributions to trade, tourism, and other industries;

Whereas although persons of African descent have made significant achievements in education, employment, economic, political, and social spheres in some countries, the

vast majority are marginalized—living in impoverished


22260b.AAC
25

3

•HCON 175 IH

communities where they are excluded from centers of

education, government, and basic human rights based

upon the color of their skin and ancestry;

Whereas Afro-descendants have shorter life expectancies,

higher rates of infant mortality, higher incidences of

HIV/AIDS, higher rates of illiteracy, and lower incomes

than do other populations;

Whereas Afro-descendants encounter problems of access to

healthcare, basic education, potable water, housing, land

titles, credit, equal justice and representation under the

law, political representation, and other economic, political, health, and basic human rights; and

Whereas skin color and ancestry have led African-Americans

in the United States and African descendants in Latin

America and the Caribbean to share similar injustices,

leading to economic, social, health, and political inequalities: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That Congress—

3 (1) recognizes and honors African descendants

4 in the Americas for their contributions to the eco5 nomic, social, and cultural fabric of the countries in

6 the Americas, particularly in Latin American and

7 Caribbean societies;

8 (2) recognizes that as a result of their skin

9 color and ancestry, African descendants in the

10 Americas have wrongfully experienced economic, so11 cial, and political injustices;


22260b.AAD
26

4

•HCON 175 IH

1 (3) urges the President to take appropriate

2 measures to encourage the celebration and remem3 brance of the achievements of African descendants

4 in the Americas and a resolution of injustices suf5 fered by African descendants in the Americas;

6 (4) encourages the United States and the inter7 national community to work to ensure that extreme

8 poverty is eradicated, universal education is

9 achieved, quality healthcare is made available, sus10 tainable environmental resources, including land

11 where applicable, is provided, and equal access to

12 justice and representation under the law is granted

13 in Afro-descendant communities in Latin America

14 and the Caribbean; and

15 (5) encourages the United States and the inter16 national community to achieve these goals in Latin

17 America and the Caribbean by—

18 (A) promoting research that focuses on

19 identifying and eradicating racial disparities in

20 economic, political, and social spheres;

21 (B) promoting, funding, and creating de22 velopment programs that focus on Afro-de23 scendant communities;

24 (C) providing technical support and train25 ing to Afro-descendant advocacy groups that


22260b.AAE
27

5

•HCON 175 IH

1 work to uphold basic human rights in the re2 gion;

3 (D) promoting the creation of an inter4 national working group that focuses on prob5 lems of communities of Afro-descendants in the

6 Americas; and

7 (E) promoting trade and other bilateral

8 and multilateral agreements that take into ac9 count the needs of Afro-descendant commu10 nities.

Æ


22260b.AAF
28

Mr. BURTON. Today, democratic progress in Latin America and 

the Caribbean is being measured by inches. Progress for some of 

the Afro-Latino communities in the hemisphere has been appallingly slow. Almost one-third of the population in Latin America is 

made up of descendants of the millions of West African slaves 

brought to the Americas by European traders during the colonial 

period. 

Afro-Latinos comprise a majority of the population in Cuba and 

the Dominican Republic, while in Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Nicaragua, they form a very significant minority, yet most Afro-Latinos are among the poorest, most 

marginalized groups in the region. This Administration continues 

to push for democratic progress, prosperity, and security in the 

hemisphere, and our assistance is geared to maximize efforts to reduce poverty. Part of a comprehensive strategy must be steady advocacy for the political and economic rights of minority groups. 

The bill before us provides a thoughtful, pro-active framework to 

address the injustices suffered by the Afro-Latino community and 

to broaden political representation, human rights, and greater social and economic rights. 

This is something that I think is long overdue, and with that, do 

any of my colleagues have opening statements they would like to 

make? Mr. Menendez. 

Mr. MENENDEZ. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me say that I 

strongly support the bill, which acknowledges the contributions of 

African descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean and calls 

on the international community to improve their situation. And I 

want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Rangel, who is the 

sponsor, as well as Congressmen Meeks, Payne, and Congresswoman Lee, for highlighting this important issue. It is one that in 

the bill we just passed on the Social and Economic Development 

Fund, we deal with, in part, by seeking to recognize that that assistance, in part, will go to a focus on marginalized communities. 

The bill calls on each of us to recognize certain fundamental 

truths, that people of African descent have made innumerable and 

invaluable economic, social, and cultural contributions to the Americas and that, as a result, for nothing more than the color of their 

skin, they have suffered cruel injustices and a legacy of slavery 

that is still evident today. 

Today, 150 million people of African descent are spread throughout the region, from Nicaragua to the Dominican Republic to 

Brazil. But while Afro-Latinos comprise less than a third of Latin 

America’s total population, they account for an astounding 40 percent of the region’s poor. In fact, in the two countries with the largest Afro-Latino populations in South America—Brazil and Colombia—Afro descendants have always been, and still are, among the 

poorest, least-educated, and lowest-paid citizens. 

Throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, Afro descendants 

continue to be treated often as second-class citizens. They are 

among the poorest, most marginalized groups in the region. They 

suffer from lack of political representation, human rights protection, land rights, and social and economic rights and benefits. 

Many do not have access to education, stable employment, and 

land titles—all vital tools to overcome poverty. 

29

In some countries, like Colombia, Afro descendants lack access to 

justice and governmental protection from armed conflict, and in 

others, such as Brazil, the illiteracy rate for Afro descendants is 20 

percent compared to only 8 percent for whites. 

Clearly, this is not simply a result of chance. There are historical 

factors in place that must be acknowledged and addressed in order 

to change the situation. Racial discrimination is a plague that destroys the productivity and stability of our hemisphere. I believe 

that all people should be entitled to enjoy the same rights and have 

access to the same opportunities, regardless of the color of their 

skin, in Latin America, in the Caribbean, and for that fact, 

throughout the world. 

We must work together, in partnership with our neighbors, to 

eliminate racism and to help improve the lives of Afro descendants 

and other marginalized groups throughout the hemisphere. Clearly, 

there can be no true advancement in the region unless all parts of 

society are included, and that includes people of African descent. 

I urge my colleagues to support the bill, with appreciation to 

those who have brought this to the forefront. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Menendez. 

Are there further comments? Mr. Meeks. My good friend, Mr. 

Meeks. 

Mr. MEEKS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

First, I want to also congratulate Mr. Rangel and thank Mr. Rangel for bringing this bill up to the Floor. You know, too often, even 

those of us who are African-American here in America, when we 

celebrate Black History Month, et cetera, we do not acknowledge 

first that there were a lot of other African descendants who were 

brought to this part of the hemisphere who are our brothers and 

sisters in Latin America. And I think that the first step to begin 

to correct some of the wrongs and the ill gains that have happened 

as a result of slavery is to first recognize and acknowledge it, and 

that is what this resolution begins to do, because when you think 

about the slave trade that benefitted those of us who live here in 

the United States, it also benefitted those who colonized Latin 

America, and, therefore, European countries benefitted to a great 

deal also. 

We have got to begin to take that first step. Then, as Ranking 

Member Menendez just indicated, we have 150 million persons of 

African descent living in Latin America and the Caribbean, with 46 

percent of them in Brazil and 30 percent in Colombia, yet when 

you look at those who are the poorest of the poor, disproportionately, they are African Latinos. When you look at those there of African descent, they have shorter life expectancies, higher rates of 

infant mortality, higher incidences of HIV/AIDS, higher rates of illiteracy, and lower incomes than other populations. They encounter 

problems for access to healthcare, for basic education, potable 

water, housing, land titles, credit, equal justice and representation 

under the law. 

And as we know, as Dr. King has said, that ‘‘injustice anywhere 

is a threat to justice everywhere,’’ and we have to begin to make 

sure that we are moving forward to, first, recognize and then utilize the blessings that we have here in the United States and the 

lessons that we have learned from the wrongs that took place here 

30

in the United States to begin to level the playing field also in Latin 

America, because only until that is accomplished can we have true 

democracies rising up in this hemisphere and can be assured that 

democracy will be there for all, no matter what their race, creed, 

color, or religion. Thank you, Mr. Chair. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Meeks. 

Any other comments? Mr. Smith. 

Mr. SMITH OF NEW JERSEY. Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. 

Chairman. I strongly support H. Con. Res. 175 and associate myself with the remarks of those who have spoken. It is important to 

recognize the ongoing prejudice and racial discrimination that is 

meted out toward those who are of African descent, and I would 

also point out that there are also some who are in prison today, in 

Cuban prisons, namely, Dr. Oscar Biscet, an Afro-Cuban, who has 

now gotten a 25-year prison sentence because of his human rights 

activism. He has been absolutely and horribly mistreated by Fidel 

Castro and has suffered solitary confinement and a host of other 

tortures in his prison cell in Cuba. So we should not forget that 

there are people today—this is not past; this is present, and I hope 

that we will keep our focus on Fidel Castro. Dr. Biscet is a human 

rights leader who is second to none. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Smith. 

Mr. Payne. 

Mr. PAYNE. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for 

bringing this resolution up, and I certainly thank Mr. Rangel for 

reintroducing it with the Members of the Committee who have cosponsored it. 

The number is 150 million people, many African descendants, are 

recognized in their countries. For so long, it has been said that it 

was class in Latin America. Latin America was different than other 

parts of the world, that people were not judged by the color of their 

skin, that it was basically by the class that they were in. 

Ten years ago, people started looking at the class and looking at 

the color and finding that 99 percent of the people in the lower 

classes happen to be dark, of African descent, and most of the people in the higher class happen to be of non-African descent. So it 

may be class; it is just that the class is overwhelmingly one group. 

And so I think that there has been recognition that race matters 

in a negative sense in the fact that there has been such a lack of 

progress. 

I think that the awakening has come in countries—even in Mexico, there are groups calling themselves ‘‘Afro-Mexicans,’’ and, of 

course, in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica now, and in 

Brazil and Venezuela, there are people who are now asking for and 

fighting for their rights. Lands have been taken. Also, we should 

remember that the indigenous people who were there first before 

any of the Conquistadors or the colonialists came are also 

marginalized. Their numbers, unfortunately, have dwindled to 1 

and 2 and 3 percent, but we also have to remember, indigenous 

people are being mistreated and abused and so forth. 

I would like to say that we should continue to be vigilant. I 

talked to several Presidents of Brazil, the President of Venezuela. 

We raised it with Fidel Castro, who also admits that race is a factor in Cuba, that there is an attempt to try to work on it. I think 

31

we should look into the persons who are in prison, as Mr. Smith 

mentioned, and to be supportive of human rights everywhere. So 

I will reluctantly commend the Chairman for his bipartisan work, 

and he is doing a great job as Chairman. He is growing well into 

the job. I associate myself with the remarks of the other Members. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Payne, and, once again, I apologize 

for that garage in New Jersey. [Laughter.] You do not want to 

bring that up anymore? Okay. 

Ms. Lee, did you have a comment? 

Ms. LEE. Thank you. I would commend this Subcommittee for its 

bipartisan fashion and also would commend it for this hearing 

today. 

As many of us, the millions of African Americans, are descendants of the transatlantic slave trade, and we very clearly know and 

recognize those vestiges of racism, what it has done. And so like 

African-Americans, African descendants in our hemisphere also 

deal with many, many of those same issues, and so this bill begins 

to really take the first step to recognize, I have to say personally, 

as our brothers and sisters, and as a Member of Congress, I say 

our friends in especially countries like Honduras and Colombia are 

recognized and that they deserve our focused attention, whether it 

be on healthcare or education. 

I would just like to take a moment and recognize the Ambassador to the U.S. and also to the OAS, Ambassador Lavelle of Antigua, who is here today and who has done much work with regard 

to the people of African descent. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Ms. Lee, and welcome. 

Any other discussion? 

[No response.] 

Mr. BURTON. Are there any amendments to the legislation? 

[No response.] 

Mr. BURTON. If not, the question occurs on the motion to report 

the resolution, H. Con. Res. 175, favorably. All in favor, signify by 

saying aye. 

[A chorus of ayes.] 

Mr. BURTON. All opposed, signify by saying no. 

[No response.] 

Mr. BURTON. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. The 

ayes have it. 

Staff is directed to make any technical and conforming amendments that are necessary. 

We will now go to H.R. 611, the Haiti Economic and Infrastructure Reconstruction Act. Pursuant to notice, I call up this bill for 

purposes of markup and move its recommendation to the Full Committee, and without objection, the bill will be considered as read 

and open for amendment at any point. 

[H.R. 611 follows:]

32

1

I

109TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. R. 611

To authorize the establishment of a program to provide economic and infrastructure reconstruction assistance to the Republic of Haiti, and for

other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 8, 2005

Mr. FOLEY (for himself, Mr. RANGEL, and Mr. SHAW) introduced the

following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

A BILL

To authorize the establishment of a program to provide economic and infrastructure reconstruction assistance to the

Republic of Haiti, and for other purposes.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Haiti Economic and

5 Infrastructure Reconstruction Act’’.


22260c.AAB
33

2

•HR 611 IH

1 SEC. 2. ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE RECONSTRUC2 TION PROGRAM FOR THE REPUBLIC OF

3 HAITI.

4 (a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The President is au5 thorized to establish an economic and infrastructure re6 construction program for the Republic of Haiti, to be

7 known as the ‘‘Haiti Economic and Infrastructure Recon8 struction Program’’ (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Re9 construction Program’’), under which individuals who are

10 recruited into the Program will be deployed to Haiti to

11 provide assistance to the Government of Haiti related to

12 economic and infrastructure reconstruction and develop13 ment.

14 (b) APPOINTMENT.—If the President establishes the

15 Reconstruction Program under subsection (a), the Presi16 dent shall appoint an officer or employee of the Bureau

17 for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United States

18 Agency for International Development to serve as the Di19 rector of the Reconstruction Program. The Director shall

20 possess expertise with respect to—

21 (1) Haiti; or

22 (2) economic, educational, judicial, law enforce23 ment, healthcare, or infrastructure reconstruction

24 and recovery efforts in developing countries.

25 (c) COORDINATION.—The Director shall coordinate

26 with appropriate officials from the Government of Haiti


22260c.AAC
34

3

•HR 611 IH

1 to identify ministries and agencies of the Government of

2 Haiti that require assistance concerning the reconstruc3 tion and development in Haiti with respect to—

4 (1) the economy, including a special emphasis

5 on the development of private and public domestic

6 and foreign business investment;

7 (2) the educational system, including a special

8 emphasis on the development of school facilities,

9 teacher training programs, and administration man10 agement programs;

11 (3) the judiciary and the rule of law;

12 (4) the healthcare system; and

13 (5) the infrastructure.

14 (d) RECRUITMENT OF INDIVIDUALS FOR PARTICIPA15 TION IN THE RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM.—

16 (1) REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS.—The Director

17 shall recruit individuals who are citizens of the

18 United States and who possess—

19 (A) at minimum, a four-year college or

20 university degree awarded from an accredited

21 college or university located in the United

22 States; or

23 (B) such skills or expertise as the Director

24 determines to be relevant or appropriate to

25 carry out the Reconstruction Program.


22260c.AAD
35

4

•HR 611 IH

1 (2) HAITIAN-AMERICANS.—To the maximum

2 extent practicable, the Director shall recruit Hai3 tian-Americans.

4 (e) USE OF FUNDS.—The Director shall use funds

5 appropriated for the Reconstruction Program to—

6 (1) cover the costs of housing, in such amounts

7 as the Director determines to be appropriate, for in8 dividuals who are deployed to Haiti to carry out the

9 Reconstruction Program; and

10 (2) pay such individuals a salary, in such

11 amounts as the Director determines to be appro12 priate, taking into consideration the expertise of an

13 individual and the position in the Reconstruction

14 Program held by such individual.

15 (f) LENGTH OF DEPLOYMENT IN HAITI.—

16 (1) ONE YEAR.—Individuals recruited under

17 subsection (d) may be deployed to Haiti under the

18 Reconstruction Program for no longer than one

19 year.

20 (2) EXCEPTION.—If the Director determines

21 that an extended period of deployment for any indi22 vidual is appropriate, and such individual consents

23 to such extension, the Director may extend the de24 ployment of such individual for no longer than two

25 additional years.


22260c.AAE
36

5

•HR 611 IH

1 (g) REPORTS.—

2 (1) FIRST INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than

3 six months after the date of the enactment of this

4 Act, the President shall submit to Congress a first

5 interim report regarding the Reconstruction Pro6 gram.

7 (2) SECOND INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than

8 12 months after the date of the enactment of this

9 Act, the President shall submit to Congress a second

10 interim report regarding the Reconstruction Pro11 gram.

12 (3) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 18 months

13 after the date of the enactment of this Act, the

14 President shall submit to Congress a final report re15 garding the Reconstruction Program.

16 (4) CONTENTS.—The interim and final reports

17 shall include information relating to the following:

18 (A) A description and explanation of the

19 process of recruitment of individuals for partici20 pation in the Reconstruction Program, includ21 ing a description and explanation of—

22 (i) the selection criteria used; and

23 (ii) any incentives offered and the cost

24 of such incentives.


22260c.AAF
37

6

•HR 611 IH

1 (B) The number of individuals recruited

2 and the ministry or agency and the locality in

3 which each individual is placed.

4 (C) The potential for expansion of the Re5 construction Program.

6 (h) INFRASTRUCTURE DEFINED.—In this section,

7 the term ‘‘infrastructure’’ means a road, highway, bridge,

8 tunnel, airport, mass transportation vehicle or system,

9 intermodal transportation facility, waterway, commercial

10 port, drinking or waste water treatment facility, solid

11 waste disposal facility, pollution control system, and gas,

12 electricity, and oil utilities.

13 (i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There

14 are authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry

15 out this section such sums as may be necessary for each

16 of the fiscal years 2006 through 2011. It is the sense of

17 Congress that at least $3,000,000 should be made avail18 able for each of those fiscal years to carry out this section.

19 SEC. 3. HEALTHCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR HAITI.

20 (a) HEALTHCARE PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The

21 President is authorized to establish a healthcare assistance

22 program for Haiti, to be known as the ‘‘Haiti Healthcare

23 Assistance Program’’ (in this section referred to as the

24 ‘‘Healthcare Program’’), under which grants may be made

25 to qualified nongovernmental organizations to establish


22260c.AAG
38

7

•HR 611 IH

1 programs in Haiti related to the prevention of infectious

2 diseases in Haiti.

3 (b) COORDINATION.—If the President establishes the

4 Healthcare Program under subsection (a), the President

5 shall seek to work with appropriate officials from the Gov6 ernment of Haiti and with appropriate individuals from

7 international financial institutions, civil society, non8 governmental organizations, and international organiza9 tions to work in coordination and cooperation with quali10 fied nongovernmental organizations.

11 (c) USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—A qualified nongovern12 mental organization that receives a grant through this sec13 tion shall use the grant to promulgate a comprehensive

14 and integrated strategy to combat and control infectious

15 diseases in Haiti through the establishment of a com16 prehensive healthcare infrastructure in Haiti that focuses

17 on education, prevention, care, treatment, support, capac18 ity development, and other related activities.

19 (d) SATISFACTION OF CRITERIA TO BE CONSIDERED

20 A QUALIFIED NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION.—The

21 Administrator of the United States Agency for Inter22 national Development shall promulgate criteria that shall

23 be satisfied by a nongovernmental organization in order

24 for such organization to be considered a qualified non25 governmental organization for purposes of this section.


22260c.AAH
39

8

•HR 611 IH

1 (e) HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE DEFINED.—In

2 this section, the term ‘‘healthcare infrastructure’’ means

3 an inpatient or outpatient hospital, clinic, or medical facil4 ity and medical programs, including programs for hiring

5 physicians, nurses, or other medical personnel and pro6 grams for acquiring transportation and communications

7 systems for medical purposes.

8 (f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There

9 are authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry

10 out this section such sums as may be necessary for each

11 of the fiscal years 2006 through 2011. It is the sense of

12 Congress that at least $3,000,000 should be made avail13 able for each of those fiscal years to carry out this section.

Æ


22260c.AAI
40

Mr. BURTON. Haiti is the hemisphere’s poorest nation, plagued 

by violence and political instability. Since President Aristide’s departure in February 2004, Haiti has had an interim government 

charged with holding new elections. A United Nations stabilization 

mission led by Brazil has been deployed to Haiti. Their efforts to 

ensure a secure and stable environment and to restore the rule of 

law in Haiti are showing signs of strain, real strain. 

We are entering an electoral cycle in Haiti, with registration 

campaigns and voting scheduled for October through December for 

Parliamentary and Presidential contests. Providing security during 

this election cycle will require the UN mission in Haiti to comply 

with its chapter VII mandate for a disarmament, demobilization, 

and reinsertion program. Without security, these elections could be 

delayed or possibly derailed. Efforts to restore order, stability, and, 

most importantly, rebuild Haiti are threatened by violence. An end 

to violence and a renewed commitment to end poverty and corruption are all essential components of a comprehensive solution to 

Haiti’s problems. 

My colleagues, Congressman Foley and Congressman Rangel, 

have introduced H.R. 611 to address the vital economic and infrastructure reconstruction and development assistance needs of 

Haiti. The bill sets forth provisions for a new and much needed 

program to facilitate involvement by Haitian-Americans and others 

to help rebuild Haiti. The bill also provides for the establishment 

of a healthcare assistance program and coordination of resources 

and interventions aimed at critical public health problems, including infectious disease prevention. 

I will now recognize any other Member for opening statements. 

Any opening statements? Ms. Napolitano. Did I get that correct? 

Ms. NAPOLITANO. You sure did, Mr. Chair. Very good. Very good. 

I am impressed. 

This is a bill that I thoroughly am supporting, and I am asking 

my colleagues also to consider supporting. We really need to take 

a look at the tragedy that has befallen Haiti. The bill itself is modeled after the Peace Corps, and certainly Haitian-Americans will 

play a role in providing assistance to Haiti in this area. 

I would like to mention, though, that my concern is that since 

there is not a democratic government, that I would hope that we 

would look at NGOs so that that money is actually put into effect, 

and every cent is used wisely instead of going into a government 

that may end up in some politician’s pocket. And I say that because 

I hear so much of what happens in other countries. It needs to go 

to fight infectious diseases. It needs to go to help economic development. It needs to go to areas where it truly will make a difference. 

So, Mr. Chair, I want to add, of course, my thank you for conducting such a positive markup again. Thank you. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Ms. Napolitano. 

Mr. Meeks. 

Mr. MEEKS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think that this is a very 

important bill that goes toward a nation which is very close, if not 

already there, to being a failed state. And when you have that situation, you have people who are suffering—women, children, and 

men—and we have got to begin to move in a direction with a policy 

toward Haiti that is sustained over a long period of time. Just a 

41

1-year period, a 2-year period in dealing with Haiti is not going to 

resolve the issues that are confronting it. 

Just an election does not resolve the issues of Haiti, and, in fact, 

we have got to make sure, because of the past, that, as Ms. 

Napolitano indicated, that the money that is going into Haiti is 

going to help the people of Haiti. 

Now, I, for one, truly hope that we are able to work together, as 

has been complimented here a number of times, in a bipartisan 

manner, that we will be able to work here with Ms. Lee’s amendment because what it does is assure that we are going to give 

money to NGOs so that it gets to the people that we want to help 

and not go into the pockets of someone who just may become a 

member of government. And I know some of my colleagues on the 

other side were concerned in the past about how much money we 

have spent on Haiti and who has gotten it and why it has not gotten to the people that we want it to get to. 

Well, I think that we have an opportunity now to do something 

that is good for all of the people of Haiti, and, overall, a few 

amendments that we have here, I think, are good. But, you know, 

I surely hope that as we move forward that we can make sure that 

the money gets to the people, and I think that the best way to do 

that at this given time is through NGOs until we can see that we 

have elections and we have a government of people that will truly 

represent the country, and the money would not go in their pockets. Thank you, and I yield back. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Meeks. 

Are there any other comments? Mr. Payne. 

Mr. PAYNE. I would like to echo what has been said. I think that 

because there is an interim government that is there for the time 

being, I would certainly urge that the funds also be dispensed 

through NGOs. We had a discussion about water projects in the 

Full Committee earlier today, and Congressman Rohrabacher was 

very passionate about having the money go through NGOs. I think 

this is certainly an example of a country that should have, even 

though in the past, the funds did go to NGOs there, and the 

amount of funds lost were not as great as people amplified them 

to be. However, to ensure that the funds go to the people, and there 

certainly are adequate religious institutions—the Catholic church 

is very strong there, other NGOs like Ready for the World, a 

Protestant-run NGO that is very expansive in the country—I think 

there are adequate groups to fund the money through. So I would 

urge that we consider that. 

Also, I would like to, since we are talking about Haiti, commend 

Brazil and Latin Americans who have been providing the peacekeeping. As you now, the United States went along with the ouster 

of Aristide, and there was total chaos, but, once again, showing the 

strength of the United Nations that urged Latin America to come 

forward, and, as you know, Brazil is a leading component, and all 

of the military, the peacekeepers, are all from Latin America, led 

by Brazil, led by Colombia, led by other Latin American countries. 

We have no military people in those operations. 

So, once again, it shows, in my opinion, the necessity of a strong 

U.N, especially in instances like this, because had it not been for 

Latin Americans, we would certainly have thousands of people tryVerDate Mar 21 2002 14:24 Jan 25, 2006 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 F:\WORK\WH\062905M\22260.000 HINTREL1 PsN: SHIRL
42

ing to reach the shores of Florida in boats, with our Coast Guard 

having to take actions to prevent that from happening. Thank you 

very much. 

Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Payne. Are there any other comments? 

[No response.] 

Mr. BURTON. If not, Mr. Meeks has, I think, two amendments 

which we have reviewed and are willing to accept. Would you like 

to explain those amendments, Mr. Meeks? 

Mr. MEEKS. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. 

The first amendment, Mr. Chairman, is about securing commercial ports because Haiti cannot be developed without access to the 

two major ports: Port-au-Prince and Port Cap-Haitian. It only 

makes good sense that we secure the ports, the roads, and the 

roads leading to the ports and the waterways so that commerce can 

resume. 

We often talk about and we look at how opportunities happen, 

and you want to create some jobs there. This is the first step in 

doing that. The jobs derived from this will help to jump-start the 

economy, and the citizens can begin to return to their lives. The 

amendment will allow ships to dock safely, load and unload goods, 

and put Haitians back to work. It will provide for the development 

and maintenance of the roads leading to and from both ports, work 

with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure the safety of 

containers, and work with the United Nations to patrol and protect 

the waters of the port. 

I ask for your support on this reasonable and responsible amendment that will benefit the Western Hemisphere, but most importantly, will benefit the people of Haiti, the poorest country in the 

Western Hemisphere, because the way that we get rid of the guns 

and the violence is by putting people to work and giving them hope 

and opportunity, and I thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Mr. BURTON. Mr. Meeks, would you care to go ahead and explain 

briefly your second amendment, and we will cover them both at the 

same time en bloc? 

Mr. MEEKS. My second amendment is very simple, just basically, 

in section 2(d)(1)(A), insert before the semicolon the following: ‘‘or 

equivalent thereof.’’ We were talking about those who have an education or 4-year degree in America, but we know that there are 

Haitians and others all over the world, some in Canada, some in 

England, some in other areas, and people all over the world who 

may be interested in coming back to work in Haiti. So we do not 

want to just limit this to individuals who may have 4-year degrees 

in America. We want to make sure that there is opportunity for 

those all over and that Haitians can come back to Haiti, in particular, in my estimation, to give back to their country and to work 

to make sure that we can pick back up the commerce and pick back 

up living conditions there. 

[The amendments referred to follow:]

43

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT TO H.R. 611

OFFERED BY MR. MEEKS

In section 2(c), insert before the period at the end

the following: ‘‘, including a special emphasis on commercial ports under subsection (i)’’.

In section 2, redesignate subsection (i) as subsection

(j).

In section 2, insert after subsection (h) the following

new subsection:

1 (i) COMMERCIAL PORTS.—

2 (1) DESCRIPTION.—A commercial port in Haiti

3 refers to Haiti’s commercial ports at Port-au-Prince

4 and Cap-Haitian.

5 (2) REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO RECON6 STRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT.—

7 (A) IN GENERAL.—With respect to the re8 construction and development of Haiti’s com9 mercial ports referred to in subsection (c)(5),

10 the Director shall help—

11 (i) ensure that such ports are secure

12 for ships to dock and to load and unload

13 goods; and


22260d.AAB
44

2

H.L.C.

1 (ii) develop and maintain the roads

2 leading to such ports.

3 (B) COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED NA4 TIONS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND

5 SECURITY.—To the greatest extent practicable,

6 the Director shall coordinate with appropriate

7 officials from the United Nations in Haiti and

8 the Department of Homeland Security to en9 sure that security at such ports is provided by

10 the United Nations and the Department, in11 cluding patrolling and protecting the waters of

12 such ports.


22260d.AAC
45

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT TO H.R. 611

OFFERED BY MR. MEEKS

In section 2(d)(1)(A), insert before the semicolon

the following: ‘‘or equivalent thereof’’.


22260e.AAB
46

Mr. BURTON. Any discussion on the amendments offered by Mr. 

Meeks? 

[No response.] 

Mr. BURTON. If not, the question comes on the amendments as 

offered by Mr. Meeks. We will consider them en bloc. All of those 

in favor will signify by saying aye. 

[A chorus of ayes.] 

Mr. BURTON. Those opposed will signify by saying no. 

[No response.] 

Mr. BURTON. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. The 

ayes have it, and the amendments are agreed to. 

Ms. Lee, I believe you have an amendment. 

Ms. LEE. Yes, Mr. Chairman, I do have an amendment at the 

desk, and I ask unanimous consent——

Mr. BURTON. Without objections. 

[The amendment referred to follows:]

47

1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT TO H.R. 611

OFFERED BY MS. LEE

In section 2(a), insert ‘‘democratically elected’’ before ‘‘Government of Haiti’’.

In section 2(c), strike the matter preceding paragraph (1), and insert the following: ‘‘Except as provided

in section 4, the Director shall coordinate with appropriate international nongovernmental organizations and

representatives of civil society or with appropriate officials from the democratically elected Government of Haiti

to identify ministries and agencies of the democratically

elected Government of Haiti that require assistance concerning the reconstruction and development in Haiti with

respect to—’’.

In section 3(b), strike ‘‘If’’ and insert ‘‘Except as

provided in section 4, if’’.

In section 3(b), insert ‘‘democratically elected’’ before ‘‘Government of Haiti’’.

At the end of the bill, add the following new section:


22260f.AAB
48

2

H.L.C.

1 SEC. 4. DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT OF

2 HAITI.

3 (a) DESCRIPTION.—In this Act, the term ‘‘democrat4 ically elected Government of Haiti’’ means a government

5 that—

6 (1) results from free and fair elections—

7 (A) conducted under the supervision of

8 internationally recognized observers; and

9 (B) in which—

10 (i) opposition parties were permitted

11 ample time to organize and campaign for

12 such elections; and

13 (ii) all candidates were permitted full

14 access to the media;

15 (2) is showing respect for the basic civil lib16 erties and human rights of the citizens of the coun17 try;

18 (3) is committed to making constitutional

19 changes that would ensure regular free and fair elec20 tions and the full enjoyment of basic civil liberties

21 and human rights by the citizens of the country; and

22 (4) has made demonstrable progress in estab23 lishing an independent judiciary.

24 (b) EXCEPTION.—

25 (1) IN GENERAL.—Until such time as a demo26 cratically elected government described in subsection


22260f.AAC
49

3

H.L.C.

1 (a) exists in Haiti, any assistance, coordination, or

2 cooperation related to economic and infrastructure

3 reconstruction and development authorized under

4 this Act is authorized to be carried out in coordina5 tion or cooperation with the Government of Haiti.

6 (2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in

7 paragraph (1) shall be construed as authorizing any

8 direct United States foreign assistance to a non9 democratically elected Government of Haiti.


22260f.AAD
50

Ms. LEE. Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for 

your leadership on so many tough issues impacting the Western 

Hemisphere and especially for your leadership on United States 

policy toward Haiti. I am in complete agreement with my colleagues, with yourself, and both sides of the aisle that Haiti is in 

desperate need of recovery and of assistance. The recovery must include economic, social, and political development for the Haitian 

people to advance. 

So this amendment would advance this major recovery effort by 

doing three things. It will ensure that U.S. funding and program 

assistance actually reaches the Haitian people, and it would reach 

the Haitian people through this amendment because we have designated that it go through either an NGO or through a democratically-elected government. And it also defines the same standard of 

what a democratically-elected government constitutes as what we 

use with regard to Cuba. It also requires that these funds be distributed through civil society and international nongovernmental 

organizations if there is no accountable democratically-elected government. 

Why do we need this amendment? Mr. Chairman, let me just 

say, I have no prior authorship on this, but for the most part, we 

wrote quite a bit of this bill, and so I am very proud of the actual 

content of the bill. But in many ways, it has been changed, and so 

what this amendment does, with the support of the two Democratic 

co-sponsors, Congressman Rangel and Congressman Davis, is to 

make sure that when we move forward with this, and if we really 

believe that Haiti needs this direct economic and social infrastructure and healthcare development, that we authorize funds for a 

democratically-elected government or for civil society or NGOs. 

So I am asking you to join me in support of this amendment 

which would provide direct funding to the people of Haiti through 

the hands of those who best represent them, and that is either a 

democratically-elected government or a civil society or NGOs. 

Mr. BURTON. Is there further discussion on the amendment by 

Ms. Lee? 

[No response.] 

Mr. BURTON. If there is no further discussion on the amendment, 

all those in favor will signify by saying aye. 

[A chorus of ayes.] 

Mr. BURTON. Those opposed will signify by saying no. 

[A chorus of noes.] 

Ms. LEE. May I have a rollcall? 

Mr. BURTON. The lady has asked for a rollcall vote, and a rollcall 

vote will be granted. The clerk will call the roll. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Burton? 

Mr. BURTON. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Burton votes no. Mr. Paul? 

[No response.] 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Weller? 

Mr. WELLER. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Weller votes no. Ms. Harris? 

Ms. HARRIS. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Ms. Harris votes no. Mr. Leach? 

[No response.] 

51

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Smith? 

Mr. SMITH OF NEW JERSEY. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Smith votes no. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen? 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen votes no. Mr. Mack? 

Mr. MACK. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Mack votes no. Mr. McCaul? 

Mr. MCCAUL. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. McCaul votes no. Mr. Menendez? 

Mr. MENENDEZ. Aye. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Menendez votes yes. Ms. Napolitano? 

Ms. NAPOLITANO. Yes. 

Ms. RUSH. Ms. Napolitano votes yes. Mr. Meeks? 

Mr. MEEKS. Aye. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Meeks votes yes. Mr. Faleomavaega? 

[No response.] 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Payne? 

Mr. PAYNE. Aye. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Payne votes yes. Mr. Delahunt? 

Mr. DELAHUNT. Aye. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Delahunt votes yes. Ms. Lee? 

Ms. LEE. Aye. 

Ms. RUSH. Ms. Lee votes yes. 

Mr. BURTON. The clerk will report. 

Ms. RUSH. On this vote, there are six ayes and seven noes. 

Mr. BURTON. The amendment fails for lack of a majority. Are 

there further amendments? 

[No response.] 

Mr. BURTON. If there are no further amendments, the question 

occurs on the bill itself. All those in favor of the bill being reported 

to the Floor favorably, signify by saying aye. 

[A chorus of ayes.] 

Mr. BURTON. Those opposed, signify by saying no. 

[A chorus of noes.] 

Mr. BURTON. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. 

Ms. LEE. May I have a rollcall? 

Mr. BURTON. We will have a rollcall vote. The gentlelady has requested it, and it will be granted. The clerk will call the roll. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Burton? 

Mr. BURTON. Aye. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Burton votes yes. Mr. Paul? 

[No response.] 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Weller? 

Mr. WELLER. Aye. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Weller votes yes. Ms. Harris? 

Ms. HARRIS. Yes. 

Ms. RUSH. Ms. Harris votes yes. Mr. Leach? 

[No response.] 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Smith? 

Mr. SMITH OF NEW JERSEY. Yes. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Smith votes yes. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen? 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Yes. 

Ms. RUSH. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen votes yes. Mr. Mack? 

Mr. MACK. Yes. 

52

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Mack votes no. Mr. McCaul? 

Mr. MCCAUL. Yes. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. McCaul votes yes. Mr. Menendez? 

Mr. MENENDEZ. I’ll pass for the moment. 

Ms. RUSH. Ms. Napolitano? 

Ms. NAPOLITANO. Aye. 

Ms. RUSH. Ms. Napolitano votes yes. Mr. Meeks? 

Mr. MEEKS. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Meeks votes no. Mr. Faleomavaega? 

[No response.] 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Payne? 

Mr. PAYNE. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Payne votes no. Mr. Delahunt? 

Mr. DELAHUNT. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Delahunt votes no. Ms. Lee? 

Ms. LEE. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Ms. Lee votes no. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Menendez? 

Mr. MENENDEZ. No. 

Ms. RUSH. Mr. Menendez votes no. 

Ms. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Chair, how am I recorded? 

Ms. RUSH. You voted yes. 

Ms. NAPOLITANO. Change to ‘‘no,’’ please. 

Ms. RUSH. Ms. Napolitano votes no. 

Mr. BURTON. The clerk will report. 

Ms. RUSH. On this vote, there are seven ‘‘yes’’ votes and six ‘‘no’’ 

votes. 

Mr. BURTON. The bill will be reported favorably to the Full Committee. Without objection, the bill is reported in the form of a single amendment in the nature of a substitute incorporating the 

amendments adopted here today, and without objection, the staff is 

directed to make any technical and conforming amendments as 

necessary. 

If there is no further business to come before the Committee, we 

stand adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 3:30 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]

Æ